I’m sprawled out on the couch in just my pajama bottoms, trying to get lost in an old video game. But it’s hard without the usual distractions—social media pings, notifications buzzing through the night, emails from work I forgot about. I’m supposed to be taking a break this weekend but find myself reaching for my phone more than ever.

I’ve been wanting to do this for weeks. Ever since the news of another tech giant’s layoffs and the endless discussions about how companies are adapting in these times, it feels like everything is connected. The line between work and personal life is blurring, and I’m starting to wonder if I need a break from all that connectivity.

I decide on an old text game, hoping it will be a simple enough distraction. The first level loads up with those pixelated graphics from years ago, and for a moment, everything feels normal again. But soon, the screen starts buzzing like my phone does. My finger reaches out to touch it even as I try not to. It’s an impulse that’s hard to resist.

I close the game, feeling both relieved and disappointed. What am I supposed to do instead? I’ve read articles about how people disconnect for days at a time, but when you’ve grown up with constant digital interaction, it feels like letting go is harder than ever.

Deciding on something specific, I choose to focus on a book I’ve been meaning to start. It’s about coding and algorithms—something that could help me understand more of the tech world without being overwhelmed by it all the time. As I pick up the book, the pages crackle slightly under my fingers, and for once, I’m not tempted to reach for something else.

Maybe this isn’t just a break from technology; maybe it’s a chance to connect with the world in ways that don’t require screens at all.